Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar

The Story Behind this Blog

Being from the South, Silver is a very big part of my life. It doesn't have anything to do with wealth. Although those with more money - old money, tend to have more of it. New money tend not to spend their money on Silver. They do not have the appreciation for the warmth of the metal, the beauty of the patina, the story it tells of the generations past who have used it. A true southern girl comes of age when she chooses her silver pattern, long before she chooses her mate. If she is smart, she chooses that of her mother, grandmother, or favorite great aunt who in their benevolence will pass their silver on to her. It is the pieces in those sets, the pieces on our tables, along with the pieces we find in the corners of the displays in antique stores that prompted me to start this blog. They are beautiful, they are odd, but what are they, and what in the hell do you do with them?

Friday, February 9, 2018

Merrimack by Towle

Merrimack by Towle (1916 ) is described as a 'hammered' design.

Child's Fork (4 3/8 inches)

One Tine Butter Pick

Five O'Clock Teaspoon (5 inches)

Strawberry Fork (5 3/8 inches)

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Swansea by Gorham

Gorham first introduced their Swansea pattern in 1919.

Monday, February 5, 2018

Stately by State House / Oneida

If you are not familiar with 'State House' silver, there is a reason why. It is actually not a company but a line of sterling from Oneida. The 3 patterns of the State House line were not distributed through retail stores. They were made for private distribution.

The Stately pattern was introduced in 1948. Is one of the 3 'State House' patterns, along with Formality and Inaugural. Grosvenor N. Allen & Mary Parker Fleming designed the pattern for State House/Oneida. They also designed Damask Rose (1946), designs of Stanton Hall (1951), Ribbon Rose (1942), and Castle Rose.

Hallmark Silver Co is founded in New York, NY. It is active in the early 1900s till around 1954. The company later merged with Hunt Silver Co in the year 1954 and renamed Hunt-Hallmark Co.

Ice Cream Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Grille Knife (8 3/8 inches)

Sugar Spoon (6 1/8 inches)

Spanish Tracery by Gorham

Gorham introduced Spanish Tracery in 1970. A different feature of this pattern is the "Black Accent", meaning the design itself is on a black Background.

Ice Tea Spoon (7 3/4 inches)

Two Piece Wooden Bowl Salad Serving Set

Sugar Spoon (6 1/8 inches)

Lemon Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Friday, February 2, 2018

Silver Swirl by Wallace

1955

Designer : William S. Warren

Silver Swirl by Wallace is yet another pattern designed by William Warren (who also designed Rose Point, Sir Christopher, Grand Baroque , and Romance of the Sea). It was introduced in 1955.

Seafood Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

John Alden by Watson

Watson introduced their John Alden pattern in 1911.

Oyster Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Asparagus Tongs (8 inches)

Flat Handled Crumber (12 3/4 inches)

Orange Knife (6 5/8 inches)

Monday, January 29, 2018

Cactus by Georg Jensen

A beautiful art deco pattern, Georg Jensen's Cactus was introduced in 1930.

European Fork (7 3/4 inches)

Grapefruit Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Jam Spoon (5 1/2 inches)

Sardine Serving Fork (6 5/8 inches)

Friday, January 26, 2018

Corn Butterer Part 3

A few more examples of the odd piece, the Corn Butterer. I have posted on it earlier.

Spanish Baroque by Reed and Barton (5 3/8 inches)

Fairfax by Gorham (5 3/4 inches)

Francis I by Reed and Barton (5 1/8 inches)

Renaissance by Kirk Stieff (5 3/8 inches)

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Larkspur by Wallace

Wallace introduced their Larkspur pattern in 1939. It is a simple pattern on first blush, but further review shows a rather interesting border around the edge that includes small blossoms.

Tomato Server (7 1/2 inches)

Lemon Fork (5 1/2 inches)

Cream Soup (5 7/8 inches)

Monday, January 22, 2018

No.80 by Wallace

Wallace's No. 80 pattern dates back to 1909. It has been my experience that many of the more interesting patterns by a silversmith are not given some fancy name, just a number. This pattern is a prime example of this. The Bon Bon spoon in this pattern is an exquisite piece. (IMHO)

Oyster Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Teaspoon (5 3/4 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (4 7/8 inches)